Posts Tagged ‘In progress’

Recently I was inspired to try making another English saddle. I don’t build saddles very often… I’ve mentioned before that I find them intimidating, but at the same time it’s something I want to do more often and want to get better at, and like so many other things I’m into, I won’t get better unless I PRACTICE.

I still don’t really know what I’m doing though.

So when Carrie Olguin of KeriOkie Entertainment posted some new how-to videos on her YouTube channel, I really wanted to give another saddle a go. I mean, I need all the help I can get. XD I’m a bit stubborn and like to figure out how to make things on my own, but I also see value in following tips and tutorials by other tack makers, as it provides an opportunity to gather new ideas and try things you may have never thought of trying before.

I didn’t get a chance to start working on the saddle till this week. It’s become my after-work project, and I’ve been enjoying working on small steps at a time.

The first few days were spent cutting, dyeing and preparing leather:

Another was spent putting together the panels:

Followed by the saddle flaps:

Now that the weekend’s here I’ve had a little more time for it. It’s starting to look like a saddle!

Here’s how it’s looking today:

I have done some things differently than what was shared in the tutorial. I’m using a heavier metal instead of an aluminum can for the tree, I dyed all my pieces after cutting them out, and my stirrup bars are different from what was shown, just to name a few.

But it’s been so much FUN to put together, which is what I need with tack making right now. 🙂

I never made time to work on this month’s tack project, which annoys me, but I’m trying not to be too hard on myself because I’ve been working (and completing!) many sewing projects, mostly for the shop.

Here’s one of two blankets I finished. Adding a neck hood was a spur of the moment idea and I’m really happy with the result. I haven’t worked out a pattern for a full hood yet, but I’m sure I will eventually.

I mentioned draft sized blankets a while back, which I am working on… I’m just waiting on hardware at the moment! In the meantime my poor FVO is practically buried with in-progress saddle pads. There are blanket pieces piled on there somewhere too.

“Help me…”

A couple weeks back I received some new galaxy print fabric. (I’m always on the lookout for it, what can I say??) I’m so in love with this one and want to make galaxy patterned EVERYTHING… so far I have a couple English pads plus a cut back western one. (still in progress) There will definitely be some in my Etsy shop in the near future. (along with half a dozen other novelty-patterned pads)

My blog also reached a new milestone this month: 500,000/half a million views! I know, I know, numbers really aren’t important but I’m still excited to see that I’ve reached 500k. XD

And last but not least, Desktop Stables has an Instagram account, which I’ve been having fun messing about with. After refusing to upgrade my basic “dumb” phone for years, I’ve finally made the switch to a smartphone. I’m slightly irritated with myself for how much I like it already. 😛

I think that’s it for now… yay for a boring catch up post! Here’s hoping March goes well…